Don't fall for these fake Pokémon Go apps if you're in the UK, Canada or Europe

With so much focus on Pokémon Go right now, there are bound to be some fake apps floating around.

We’ve been talking about Pokemon Go a lot over the past few days, but that’s not just because we’re playing it and enjoying it immensely. It’s also because there are so many people, like you, interested in it!

But Niantic Labs and The Pokémon Company, the team behind the smash hit, hasn’t made the game available to everyone yet. As of this writing, it’s only available in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand, largely because expanding it would put too much strain on their servers.

That hasn’t stopped some developers from trying to capitalize on the commotion, though.

Avoid these titles

Pokedex for Pokemon Go

This app isn’t fake, per se, but it certainly isn’t the game you’re looking for. Instead, it’s an app that indexes all of the known Pokémon across the entire franchise. Right now, according to author Akshat Jagga, there are “over 700+ Pokémon and counting” in the database, which is quite an extensive list. Each Pokémon listing includes detail, type, and attack information. Unfortunately, it looks like the app was merely adapted from being a generic Pokédex, since Pokémon Go only has 133 creatures in the game so far. Even some commenters appear to be revolting, saying that the app has no Pokémon Go-specific information in it at all.

Pokedex for Pokémon Go costs $0.99 ($1.39 CAD) and, while useful, is probably worth not worth the money since there are free alternatives. Amazingly, though, right now it is the number one paid app on the Canadian App Store — which speaks to the huge demand for the real thing!

$0.99 – Download now

Go Catch Em All! Hungry Monster.IO

This free “game” is currently the number one free app in many App Stores around the world, including Canada. Not only does it have nothing to do with Pokémon, but it blatantly rips off another hugely popular free game that made waves a few months ago, Agar.io.

The app is full of intrusive ads, and steals assets directly from Pokémon, so it’s surprising that after four days on the App Store it hasn’t been removed due to copyright violations.

Catch Em! For Pokemon Go

Another existing game trying to capitalize on the Pokémon Go maelstrom, Catch Em! for Pokemon Go is, yes, Flappy Bird with a couple Pokemon assets. Probably avoid it, unless you are adamant about re-enacting the summer of 2013.

What to do in the meantime

Pokémon Go may not be available in your country right now, but on iOS it’s pretty easy to switch regions in order to download it. If you’re clambering to start catching ’em all as soon as possible, hit up our guide.

How to download Pokemon Go in Canada, the U.K, and internationally right now!

Pokemon Go

Pokemon Go beginner’s guideHow to track and find nearby PokémonHow to catch PokémonHow to place Lures to catch PokémonHow to use Incense to catch PokémonHow to evolve and level up PokémonHow to win gym battles and earn coinsHow to be lazy and play on the couchHow to fix crashes and server errorsHow to download Pokemon Go outside the U.S.Pokemon Go help and discussion forum